Our Best 11 is….?!

Our Best 11 – Thoughts by Tom Shapland!

How we could be lining up?

In this January transfer window, Leicester have managed to recruit Harry Souttar, Victor Kristiansen and Tete to their first team squad. The Foxes have also seen Praet, Albrighton and Perez all leave on loan. This begs the question, how is the new squad going to look and what is the strongest line up going into the second half of the season?

Defence

Starting at the back, it’s fair to say that Danny Ward is still the strongest goalkeeper at the club and will continue to start, keeping 6 clean sheets in 21 games in the league this season.

At right back, this is the position that Leicester has the most depth, with Justin, Pereira and Castagne all fighting for at least one of those full back spots. Justin is probably the strongest and most reliable, going forward for the Foxes, the 24-year-old is in the top 8% for blocks by full backs in the top five leagues with 1.61 per 90, as well being in the top 5% for clearances averaging 3.05 per 90, when fit, he should be the number one choice.

Centre back has been a big problem for Leicester this season with Amartey still starting at the back, hopefully the addition of Harry Souttar sees this issue eradicated with the former Stoke City man partnering Faes at the heart of defence. It’s clear that Vestergaard is not up to par and Rodgers certainly doesn’t trust him anymore. A stable balance of Souttar and Faes should be the way forward, especially with it looking like Soynucu is leaving and with Evans injury troubles. 

At left back it seems that Kristiansen should slot right in there. Ryan Bertrand has only played 11 games in total since joining in 2021 and Thomas has failed to cement a place down in the back line. It was clear that this was a position that needed reinforcement. Kristiansen sits in the top 1% of tackles per 90 this season, averaging 3.36 per 90 as well as being in the top 1% for blocks with 1.92 per 90. The Dane is also in the top 4% for blocks with 1.92 per 90, putting up monster defensive numbers will allow a great balance in defence and freedom for Justin to bomb forward on the other side.

Midfield

In midfield, it may make sense for Rodgers to revert back to the three that was so successful in the earlier part of his reign. A midfield three of Ndidi, Tielemans and Maddison has an absolutely perfect balance and now that the defence has been reinforced, it’s plausible that it could work again.

Ndidi would sit the lowest of the three, being the most defensively active. The defensive midfielder is still putting up outrageous numbers, being in the top 1% for clearances with 2.79 per 90, top 2% for blocks with 1.97 per 90 and top 5% for interceptions with 1.9 per 90.

Partnering him would be Tielemans, which has proven to be a highly functioning duo in the Premier League in the past. All though it’s almost certain he will leave in the summer; it would be wise to benefit from him while they still can as he is the conductor of that midfield. All though the players numbers have dropped of this season, that is most likely down to the general downfall of the team.  The is player still in the top 20% for xAG, shot creating actions, passes attempted, progressive passes, tackles and blocks of all the midfielders in Europe’s top 5 leagues.

Playing slightly higher should be Leicester’s star man and saving grace, James Maddison, undoubtedly the Foxes best player this season when fit. The midfielder is key to everything good that Leicester do. Maddison is in the top 1% for non-penalty goals, total shot and assists from any midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues as well as being in the top 5% for xGA, shot creating actions, touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive passes rec. With Leicester’s star man pulling the strings from the centre, it completes a trio that could rival any midfield in the League on its day.

Attack

Leicester needs to get more out of their attack, with the return of Maddison, this should enable that to happen. With the wide areas thin on numbers, the wingers pretty much pick themselves, with Barnes off the left and new signing Tete on the right. Barnes has 7 goals and 1 assist in 19 Premier League games this season. These are not awful numbers but when compared to his 10 League assists last season, there’s definitely been a creative drop off from the winger. Despite this, he’s still the strongest option off the left and will hopefully kick on in the second half of the season.

Off the right should be new signing Tete, the Brazilian winger joined after scoring 6 goals and providing 2 assists in 17 games for Lyon this season. The 22-year-old is clearly a promising talent and Leicester’s recent track record of signing wingers has been woeful. From Perez to Under, nobody has clicked yet. With a goal on his debut in a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa, let’s hope he continues to show his talents.

The striker position for Leicester really is a roll of a dice, with none of Iheanacho, Daka or Vardy putting up over 3 League goals. It’s evident that going forward Jamie Vardy can’t play week in and week out anymore, and past that Iheanacho is probably the strongest option as at least he puts up good defensive numbers for a forward, with 1.21 blocks per 90 and 0.87 clearances per 90. Whoever does lead the line for Leicester going forward, really needs to kick on in the second half of the season. Hopefully with a more balanced squad behind them, that is exactly what they do.

GK: Ward

Def: Justin, Faes, Souttar, Kristiansen

Mid: Ndidi, Tielemans, Maddison

Att: Tete, Iheanacho, Barnes

Impact subs

The depth of the squad is definitely an issue for the Foxes, but there is still talent there. Players like Dewsbury-Hall, Vardy, Daka, Castagne and Pereira (when he’s fit) can all make an impact off the bench. Integrating youth now could also pay off in the future when the not-so-distant departure of Tielemans and the ever-aging Vardy need replacing. Dewsbury-Hall seems to be a bright player for the future, so mixing him in with a balanced Leicester side could really be beneficial for the Foxes but realistically investment this summer is needed if Leicester are going to meet the ambitions of the fans and the club in the long run.